A/N – Finally had a chance to finish writing this chapter. We're about done with this story, but there will be at least one more chapter, maybe just an epilogue, but I haven't decided yet. I should also be able to start working on Dangerous Curves again. I do feel bad that I've been too busy to write a new chapter for that one yet. Please let me know what you think of this one with a review!
Disclaimer: All original VM characters belong to Rob Thomas.
Chapter 25 - Revelations
Veronica knew she should try to get up and get away from Emily, but all of her muscles in her body felt like they were on fire and she couldn't find the strength to even crawl let alone walk.
"I'm so sorry Veronica," Emily said as Veronica heard her digging through what sounded like a purse or a bag. "I really hoped I could just leave before anyone found out."
Veronica tried to push herself up off the ground, but collapsed again since her muscles were still having small spasms from the electric shock. Her mind was so focused on the pain, she couldn't think of anything else to do at that moment. She finally started to reach for her phone that was in her pocket but Emily was back by her and took it from her.
"Sorry, no calls." She said taking the phone from her. Veronica heard her place it on the kitchen counter. Veronica rolled on to her back and closed her eyes trying to get enough strength to stand. Suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her neck.
"Ouch…" she moaned softly. "What… what did you do?" she asked weakly.
"Don't worry, it's just going to make you sleep for a while."
"Why?" Her voice was still weak and she thought she may have already been starting to feel the effects of whatever sedative she'd given her, which she knew meant it was something pretty strong.
Emily let out a sigh. "I just want to go say goodbye to Leo and so I can't have you getting in the way."
Veronica shook her head slowly. "Why all this?"
Emily took a deep breath and Veronica could see her eyes fill with tears as she shook her head. "I didn't mean to hurt her… I didn't go there intending to hurt her. I just… she's ruined so much for me… and I couldn't let her do it again… but... but she did anyway."
Veronica was trying to focus, but the drugs were making her feel a bit foggy already. "I don't understand…"
"It all started at Stanford. She acted like my friend at first, but then she tricked me, blackmailed me and stole David from me. Then she threatened to use the same evidence if I didn't leave when I was dating Logan and last week we had an argument when she stopped by the hospital and she threatened me again. She was going to go to Leo just to ruin my relationship with him out of spite."
"You'll just make it worse doing this Emily," Veronica said softly, trying to reason with her. "Just stop and turn yourself in. If you didn't mean to hurt her, the consequences may not be as bad as if it was first degree assault."
Emily shook her head as more tears fell down her cheeks. "I can't stay. Leo will never forgive me when he finds out what I did." She sobbed and took a deep breath. Veronica wasn't sure if she meant attacking Alexis or whatever blackmail material Alexis had on her. "She always ruins everything," she said in a defeated tone.
"You don't know that Leo wouldn't forgive you though. He's done some things he's regretted in his past too. If anyone believes in second chances it's Leo," Veronica continued to try to plead with her. Even if Leo wouldn't, she still knew it would be better for Emily to believe he might and to not run.
Emily shook her head as more tears fell down her face. "He's never hurt anyone like I hurt Alexis… or done things he shouldn't like I have… No, he wouldn't forgive me. He's the sheriff… he can't be with someone like me…"
"What else did you do?" Veronica asked still not ready to give up, although the effects of the drug were definitely starting to hit her harder now. She was still hoping if she could try reasoning with Emily maybe she wouldn't do something even worse than she already had.
She could see Emily's shoulders slump and she shook her head. "It doesn't matter now. This is so much worse…" she sobbed again. "I just was so mad at her. She was being such a bitch… I saw the sculpture from Logan and got even angrier about everything she'd taken from me… and was still trying to take from me… this job was so much better than I had in San Diego, but I should have never come back…"
"Emily," Veronica pleaded again. "Don't make it worse… running is going to make it worse."
Emily shook her head. "I can't bear to face Leo once he finds out the truth…"
"Why didn't you leave when she woke up then… you must have thought about doing the right thing if you stayed? Doesn't a part of you want to do the right thing for Leo?"
Emily's voice broke again as she started to explain. "I have a leukemia patient and his 6th birthday was today and I promised him I'd be there for that… I was just thankful she didn't remember when she first woke up… I was planning to leave after work today and it would have been fine… but then I ran into you and David… and of course you started to figure it out… I really am sorry Veronica."
Veronica was feeling extremely sleepy and could barely keep her eyes open. She heard the cat meow again as Emily picked him up. "You'll wake up in a few hours and I'll be gone. Please tell Leo I really am sorry and that I really did love him. I wish things could have been different. That Alexis wasn't such a horrible selfish bitch…" That was the last thing Veronica heard before she slipped into unconsciousness.
Logan had stopped off at the store to pick up food and drinks for dinner and had been putting them away in the kitchen when Veronica had called. He'd already talked with Mac and Dick and they were more than happy to come over and hang out with them and have dinner. Dick needed to close up the surf shop before he headed over, but Mac was ready for a break from trying to find a way around what Jake had done to their skype connection and said she'd come over early and hang out while they waited for Veronica and Dick to get there. By the time she arrived Logan was more than a little worried about Veronica. Mac could tell something was wrong as soon as she walked through the door.
"She called about 45 minutes ago and said she was just going to stop by to talk to Emily and then be home," Logan explained as he scratched at the back of his neck nervously. "I've called a couple times and it just rings then goes to voicemail. Am I being totally paranoid? I mean, she could have just turned off her ringer and got wrapped up with talking to Emily and didn't know I called."
Mac gave him a sympathetic look. She knew Veronica might get irritated if Logan over reacted and tracked her down or called Leo when nothing was actually wrong. But with everything else going on that week, she decided it might be better to just check on her.
"Do you know where Emily lives?" Mac asked as Logan started to pace in small circles.
"No… I mean I knew where she lived before, but I doubt it's the same place… though I guess it could be."
"I could try to hack into the DMV site and get her address. Oh wait…" Mac's eyes got larger. "We still have the tracker app on Veronica's phone right?"
Logan let out a deep breath and nodded and pulled his phone out. Why didn't I think of that? He opened the app and waited for her phone's location to come up on his phone.
"I can watch Abby if you want to just drive over and make sure everything's okay. With any luck she'll call you before you get there and already be on her way home."
Logan was staring at the phone. "Oh my god, this is like two blocks from where Alexis lives… I didn't know… Veronica said they knew each other at UCLA… she dated David before Alexis did…"
"I'm sure she's fine," Mac said in her most convincing voice as she gently squeezed his arm.
He nodded and swallowed a lump in his throat. "I hope you're right…" He headed quickly toward the garage. "I'll call you as soon as I know anything."
The drive over was excruciating and Logan kept willing his phone to ring and for Veronica to be on the line letting him know she just lost track of time talking to Emily. The closer he got to what he guessed had to be Emily's place without any word from her, the worse he felt. As he neared the location on his phone, he saw the BMW still parked along the curb in front of a group of beachfront condos.
He quickly parked behind her car and followed the tracker to the unit that it appeared her cell phone signal was coming from. He rang the bell and waited a moment for someone to answer it. After a minute he started pounding loudly on the door. There was still no answer. He decided to try the handle before either kicking the door in, or going around the back and checking for a way in there. He'd gladly risk a B&E charge if it meant Veronica was safe. The handle was locked but then he remembered Emily had a fake flowerpot at her previous apartment with a spare key because she would sometimes lock herself out. He let out a relieved breath when he spotted the flower pot mixed in with a few others. He picked it up and moved the little slot to get the key out. He quickly put it in the deadbolt and then the lower lock as well.
"Veronica?" he called out loudly as he walked through the door. There was only silence in the condo. He desperately looked around and spotted her legs on the ground behind the couch. He could barely breathe as he raced over to her.
"Veronica?" he said with a shaky tone as he knelt down next to her. He could at least see that she was just unconscious and still breathing. He brushed her hair out of her face and lifted her up so that her upper body was resting against his knees and chest, holding her against him. He kissed her forehead and felt a tear roll down his face. She'll be okay… she has to be okay… there's no blood… she'll be okay. "Sweetheart, can you hear me?" He remembered back to when he'd found her in the parking garage at Hearst. At least that time she was still conscious enough to just barely talk to him and it wasn't quite as scary as this seemed to be. She's still breathing… no blood… she'll be okay. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. "I need an ambulance… I don't know the address…" The operator said if he stayed on the phone she'd trace his cell phone signal. As she did that she asked what the emergency was and he explained the situation as best as he could.
"Someone will be there in a few minutes," the operator said compassionately after she'd gotten a lock on his phone.
Logan glanced around and saw Veronica's cell phone on the counter with a syringe lying next to that. The thought of Emily drugging her made him feel almost nauseous and he squeezed Veronica a little tighter, pressing his face against her hair. He kissed her head and sat holding her until he heard a siren and then a knock at the door, which was still wide open.
The paramedics asked if he knew what had happened. "Could it have been a drug overdose sir?" One of the paramedics asked while he bent down to check on her.
Logan shook his head. "No… she works for the Sheriff's Department and was investigating an attack and I think the culprit drugged her with something." The thought of Emily giving her so much of something that it could have caused a drug overdose made him feel instantly sick again. "There was…" he pointed to the counter. "There was a syringe up there though."
"Her vitals look strong sir," the paramedic checking Veronica said with a kind expression. He must have been able to tell the mention of an overdose had really hit Logan hard.
"Are you her husband?" the other paramedic asked as he rolled in a stretcher to take her out on.
"Yes," Logan answered immediately. There was no way in hell he wasn't going to the hospital with her and he wasn't even going to mess around with it this time.
The paramedic nodded as they gently moved Veronica onto the stretcher and strapped her securely in place. A few minutes later they were on their way to the hospital, with Logan sitting near her and holding her hand. It had been less than a week since he'd been in the back of an ambulance and while being there with Alexis was horrible, this was a million times worse. He tried to keep himself together and kept telling himself she was going to be fine, but still felt a few tears rolling down his cheeks.
He finally remembered Mac, and didn't think he could bear to talk, so quickly sent off a text. 'Found her… on way to hospital… will let you know more when we arrive… think Emily sedated her… medics said her vitals are good…' He was sure Mac was probably going to freak out, but there wasn't much more he could do at the moment.
The next hour was a blur of emergency room doctors and nurses admitting her and checking her over. Their prognosis was that she had been given a very strong sedative and that it would likely start to wear off in another hour or two. He sat in a chair by her bed holding her hand once the medical staff had moved on to treat other patients. He'd eventually shifted closer and wrapped his other arm around her waist and buried his face against her stomach. He knew he should do more… Call her dad? Call Leo? But he couldn't. He felt completely paralyzed with worry and doing anything other than holding on to her seemed impossible at that point. Please wake up soon.
He wasn't sure how long he was there when he felt a hand gently touch his shoulder. He turned to see Mac standing there with a worried look on her face.
"I called her dad," she finally said softly after staring at him for a moment. "Dick's with Abby and took her to our house."
Logan nodded and tried not to let the tears fall that he'd been holding in since they got to the ER. She gently ran her hand over his head. "They said she should be fine Logan," she reassured him softly. He nodded again but still didn't trust his voice to speak.
"I'll wait out front for Keith. Are you okay back here?"
He took a deep breath and nodded. "Thanks Mac," he finally whispered.
"Of course," she leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on the top of his head before turning and heading back out to the waiting area.
When she was gone, he turned to look at Veronica again and gently ran his fingers over her cheek. At least she looked peaceful and just like she always did when she was asleep. He was thankful there weren't any bruises or indications that she'd been hurt at all, though the doctor did mention a mark that looked like a minor burn. He had cringed and then immediately jumped to the thought that she may have been tased.
"Please wake up baby," he said as he stroked her cheek again and squeezed her hand a little tighter. He thought he saw her face muscles contract slightly. "Veronica, sweetheart, can you hear me?"
She let out a deeper breath and nodded the slightest amount. He took a deep relieved breath and leaned up and kissed her forehead. She tried to open her eyes, but they immediately closed and her face squished up in a frustrated expression.
"Just rest some more, sweetheart," Logan said softly. "You're safe now and I'm not going anywhere." She let out another sigh and then he saw her face relax as she fell back asleep. He went back to his earlier position of resting his head on her stomach with his arm wrapped protectively around her waist.
A few minutes later he felt another hand on his shoulder and sat back up. Keith was there with a grim expression on his face. "I talked with the doctor that examined her and he said she'll be okay… and that her husband was in with her." He gave Logan a sympathetic look.
Logan swallowed and nodded. "She started to wake up, a few minutes ago, but was still really out of it."
"That's good. The sedative must be starting to wear off. Did you call Leo?"
Logan shook his head. He knew he should have, but all his attention had been focused on Veronica.
"Mac said she thought Emily was the one who did it. That she was at Emily's house? Do you know for sure it was Emily?"
Logan shook his head. "No, but she was at Emily's house, so I'm assuming it was her."
Keith nodded in understanding. "I'll call Leo and fill him in. I'll be back in a little while to check on her again."
"Thanks Keith."
Keith squeezed his shoulder one more time and then turned to go back out to the waiting room.
Logan rested his head on her stomach again, burying his face against it. He was still holding on to one of her hands as he sat there waiting for her to wake up. About twenty minutes after Keith had left he felt her hand squeeze his back. He sat up and saw that her eyes were partly open, staring at him with a grim expression on her face.
"Hey," he said softly as he moved so he could caress her cheek.
"I'm sorry," she said weakly as she let out a deep sigh. She still felt extremely groggy, but it was easy to see the concern etched on his face. The concern that she had put there because she'd insisted on going to see Emily alone even though he'd been opposed to it.
He leaned in so he could nuzzle his face against her neck, and she reached up and gently stroked the back of his head. She felt him let out a shaky breath as he nodded slowly. "I was so worried Veronica."
"I'm so sorry," she said again a little louder than before. "I didn't expect…" She paused trying to remember back to everything that had happened. "I didn't expect her to do that… to really be the one who attacked Alexis."
Logan sat up slightly so he could her in the eyes. "So she did attack Alexis?" Veronica nodded sadly. "But why?"
Veronica shook her head. "I don't know the specifics, but something happened at UCLA and Alexis had something she was blackmailing Emily with." She gave him a troubled look. "That's why Emily left when you were dating. Alexis made her go."
Logan let out a deep shuddering breath and shook his head. She could only imagine how frustrated he was with Alexis at that point. "I can't believe Alexis would do that… well I guess I can… but I just didn't think… I didn't think she was that vindictive."
Veronica nodded in understanding. A part of her wasn't actually surprised that Alexis would resort to blackmail to get what she wanted, but she knew hearing it had to be hard on Logan. "Did you call Leo?"
Logan nodded. "Well your dad said he was going to."
"How did I even get here?" Veronica asked next, realizing all she could remember was blacking out at Emily's house.
Logan gave her an anguished look. "I was worried when you didn't answer your phone, and used the tracker on your phone to find you."
She let out another deep sigh and caressed his cheek with her hand. "I'm so sorry Logan."
"You're safe now," he said as he swallowed hard. She could tell that a part of him wanted to lecture her, but the other part was just relieved she was okay. She could totally see the battle that was raging behind the grim smile he tried to give her.
She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer to her, resting her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tightly.
They were interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Logan took a deep breath and then sat back up.
"Sorry," Leo said as he walked over toward them with a very solemn look on his face.
Veronica gave him an apologetic look and nodded. "It's okay. I'm so sorry Leo."
Leo shook his head. "Can you tell me what happened? All I know is your dad called and said he thought Emily had attacked both you and Alexis."
Veronica nodded again. "She admitted she attacked Alexis before she tased me and gave me a sedative. Do you know where she is now?"
Leo shook his head with a small look of denial on his face. "She said she had to go visit her grandmother in LA. I only got to talk to her for a few minutes because I was still at the church with the FBI. I tried to call her cell phone as soon as Keith called me, but it went directly to voicemail. We haven't been able to pick up a signal." He let out a long sigh and squeezed his eyes closed for a minute. "I wanted to confirm it with you before I put out an APB for her. I don't understand why she would do this." Leo looked between Logan and Veronica with a defeated expression.
Veronica felt absolutely horrible having to break this to Leo. "I don't know all the details, but they went to UCLA together and something happened there that Alexis has been using to blackmail Emily with. She said she used it to make her leave when she was dating Logan and then Alexis threatened to use it again to break the two of you up just out of spite. She said she went over to talk to Alexis and things got out of hand. She said she didn't go over intending to hurt her though."
Leo closed his eyes and shook his head again. "I'd better go post the APB," he replied sounding completely devastated.
"I'm so sorry Leo. She wanted me to tell you that she really did love you though," Veronica said sadly not sure if that would help or make it worse. She saw a pained expression cross Leo's face as he nodded and tried to keep his composure. She wished she'd been able to talk Emily into just turning herself in. She was sure that things may have gone easier for her if she had.
"Any progress on finding Liam?" Veronica asked a little hesitantly. She'd been wondering ever since Leo had mentioned being at the cemetery.
Leo nodded. "Actually… you were right Veronica. He and Ciaran were hiding at the house on Satsuma. Norris, Johnson and Barton went over to check out the house and spotted someone moving inside behind one of the curtains. They called me and I went over with the FBI team and we were able to take them into custody." Leo let out a small sigh. "Looks like you solved two cases in the same day."
Veronica looked down at her lap for a moment before looking back up to him. She sort of wished she hadn't solved one of them now, although eventually they probably would have found out the truth and Emily probably still would have fled town.
"I'll let your dad and the nurse know you're awake. Hopefully they'll be able to discharge you soon. Of course you know we'll need to file a formal statement when you're feeling up to it."
Veronica nodded again. "Thanks, Leo." He gave her one last sad nod before he left.
Logan reached up and ran his hand over her head, gently stroking her hair. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm still feeling a little off, but getting better. I'd really love to go home though."
Logan nodded. "I really want to get you out of here too."
She looked sympathetically into his eyes. "How are you doing?" She knew it couldn't be easy on him finding out more bad things that Alexis had done.
"I'm just glad you're safe," he replied with a somber expression.
"Hey honey," Keith's voice sounded behind Logan. Veronica moved her head slightly so she could smile at him.
"Hey Dad."
"I'm so glad you're okay," he said as he walked a little closer to the two of them. A nurse had followed him in and started checking Veronica's vitals. The nurse let them know that a doctor would check on her soon and then they could discharge her if she felt well enough to go.
"I'm sure your husband is anxious to get you out of here," the nurse said with a kind smile as she turned to go.
Veronica cocked an eyebrow at Logan as the nurse disappeared. Keith had stood off to the side waiting for the nurse to finish and chuckled softly.
Logan gave her a slightly sheepish look. "I may have said I was your husband, so I didn't have any issues riding with you in the ambulance and being in here with you."
Veronica smiled playfully at him. "Phew, and here I was worried I had amnesia too and had blocked out actually marrying you."
Logan smiled a bit more and shook his head, and then he changed his expression to look more serious. "Well I hope that you didn't forget that you already accepted my proposal and we're having a double wedding with Mac and Dick?"
"Excuse me?" Keith said from behind Logan.
Veronica smirked at Logan and rolled her eyes. "Nice try… Sorry pops, you'll just need to keep waiting on that dowry." She looked back at Keith and saw him shake his head slightly at them.
"Hey, good job on finding where the Fitzpatrick's were hiding, honey. I heard it was the house on Satsuma and Chandler." She thought she saw a quick flash of regret flash across her dad's face, before he looked at her proudly. She knew he still blamed himself for what had happened to Kendall in the desert. "Very good detective work. I don't know that I would have even thought of looking there."
Once she thought of Kendall, she couldn't help quickly glancing at Logan. She wondered if he had any idea whose house it had been. He must have noticed there was something on her mind and looked at her with a slightly confused expression. She wondered if they would report on who had owned the house when news of the arrest came out, so thought she'd better tell him so he was prepared for it.
"I should probably go out and let Mac and Alicia know you're fine." Keith continued giving them a questioning look. "Do you actually have a way home if you rode in the ambulance?"
Logan let out a sigh and shook his head. "I didn't really think of that. There are actually two cars over there now."
Keith nodded in understanding. "Why don't I see if you could borrow Mac's car to take Veronica home, and the three of us will drive over and get the other two and bring them back to your house."
"Thanks Keith," Logan said with an appreciative look on his face.
Veronica took a deep breath as Keith walked out. "I'd better tell you something so it doesn't catch you by surprise later," she started.
He let out a deep sigh. "More surprises?" she could tell by his expression he wasn't looking forward to anything more.
"The house that Liam was in…" she paused a moment and he nodded for her to continue. "It belonged to Kendall, so that might get brought up when the news reports come out."
A confused expression crossed his face. "Why would Liam be hiding in a house that belonged to Kendall and how did you even figure that out?"
"Kendall was actually involved with Liam's older brother Cormac. They ran cons together and he was in jail at the time that she married Dick's dad. My dad... He um... He thinks Cormac killed Kendall over money and he thinks Lian may have killed Cormac. I followed Liam to that house one night, not realizing who it was until later." She felt a chill down her spine thinking back to how Liam had tried to kill her dad.
Logan shook his head. "I never knew..." He let out a by defeated laugh. "Back then I was too much of an asshole to probably even care." He ran one of his hands agitatedly through his hair.
"Logan, that was years ago."
He sighed and nodded. "I guess that's not as bad as you being in here because of my ex-fiancé." He rubbed his hand across his face and let out another defeated sounding breath.
"None of that was your fault Logan. You didn't make Alexis do what she did to Emily. You didn't know she was blackmailing someone." Veronica said reassuringly as she reached out and caressed his cheek with her hand. "I'm so sorry about how this has all turned out Logan."
He reached up and placed his hand on top of hers. He looked a little less defeated than he had a few minutes before. "I love you Veronica. I love you so much. Deep down I know that as long as we're together, there's nothing we can't get through." She nodded and he leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to her lips.
It took almost another thirty minutes before a doctor could check on Veronica and discharge her. Logan had already passed on the information to Keith about where the cars were and exchanged keys by the time she was finally discharged. As they were about to exit the building, they ran into Norris coming in.
"Hey Veronica," Norris said softly with a tender smile on his face. "I'm so glad you're okay."
Veronica nodded in reply. "Just dropping by to see me?" she asked with a quirked brow.
He let out a sigh and shook his head. "No, Leo asked me to go up and give Alexis an update on her case. He um… he couldn't quite do it when he was here." Veronica gave him an understanding look and nodded. She glanced over at Logan and could tell he was agitated again thinking about what had happened with Alexis and Emily.
"Did you want to come up too? You're the one who solved the case. I'm guessing you still have some questions too based on what Leo told me."
She squeezed Logan's hand a little tighter and he let out a sigh as he gave her a troubled look. "I think I'd just like to go home now." Logan's expression softened as he nodded in agreement.
Norris gave them both an understanding smile and then said a quick goodbye before he turned to walk toward the elevators.
Logan helped Veronica into Mac's car, going as far as to lean in and buckle the seat belt for her, despite the protests from Veronica. When they arrived home, the other three had already brought their cars back. Logan parked Mac's car in front of the open garage doors and told Veronica to wait while he walked around to help her. She rolled her eyes at him, but did as she was told. They found Mac waiting for them inside sitting at the kitchen counter when they finally made it into the house.
"How are you feeling Bond?" Mac asked with a concerned smile.
"Better," Veronica replied with a warm smile. "Thanks for helping us… with everything."
"Of course," her smile was more genuine now and she seemed to be a little less worried than when they first walked in. "Do you want me to stay and help with anything? I could make some dinner?"
Veronica gave Logan a quick look. "I think we're okay right?" He nodded back as he reached up and brushed some strands of hair out of her face.
"We'll just keep Abby tonight so you can get some rest," Mac replied with an understanding expression.
"Thanks Mac" they both replied at the same time. She smiled and reached out to take her keys from Logan.
"Okay, well if you need anything at all. We're only 5 minutes away."
Mac gave them both a hug before she said goodbye and left.
"How are you really feeling?" Logan asked with a worried tone after Mac had left and he'd locked all the doors.
"Like I was run over by a truck," she finally admitted with a weak smile.
Logan nodded and went over and scooped her up from the stool that he'd made her sit on while he'd taken care of locking up the house. She let out a deep sigh and rested her head against his shoulder. She really had felt a bit better when they first left the hospital, but after everything that had happened, her body was still feeling the effects of it all. He kissed her temple as he carried her upstairs.
"Why don't you take a nice long hot bath? Hopefully that will help relax your muscles that are probably all tensed from being shocked." He asked as they neared their bedroom.
"Will you join me?" she asked hopefully. He smiled and nodded. He laid her carefully on the bed and kissed her softly on the lips.
"Just wait here, while I get the tub ready, okay?"
She nodded before he turned and headed into the bathroom. She could hear him start the water for the bathtub as she laid there waiting for him to return. He'd placed her down near the edge of the bed and she rolled onto her side so she could watch him through the bathroom door. She watched him pour in some lavender bath salts and carefully adjusting the water temperature.
He returned a few minutes later and gave her an affectionate smile. "Why don't I help you get undressed for the bath too," he said softly as he knelt down in front of her and then kissed her tenderly on the forehead as he caressed her head.
"I suppose I do need to be naked for my bath," she replied with a coy smile.
He nodded and kissed her again before helping her sit up. He took great care in slowly removing every article of clothing she had on, placing gentle kisses all over her body as he went. When he was finally finished, he leaned down and picked her up and carried her into the bathroom, kissing her firmly on the lips as they went. He helped her get into the tub, and then started to take his own clothes off to join her. "Music?" he asked as he set his phone on the counter. She nodded and gave him a tender smile and he touched his screen a few times before music started to play. She gave him a loving smile as soon as she heard what song it was.
"We haven't played this one in a while," she said as he started to sit down in the large tub in the space she'd made behind herself for him. It was 'Come on Get Higher' by Matt Nathanson that he'd said would be the song he would have chosen to dedicate to her.
"I know," he said softly as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back against his chest. He moved her hair to the side so he could place kisses along her shoulder. "How's the hot water helping those muscles?"
"Mmmm… good but I think the kisses are helping just as much."
"Well I'd better be sure to get all those sore spots then," he said as he moved her hair again and shifted to her other shoulder.
She let out a deep sigh and leaned slightly to give his mouth better access to her neck. He started rubbing his hands gently up and down her arms, running them over her shoulders as well and gently squeezing her tense shoulder and back muscles. He'd started singing softly along with the lyrics, mostly whispering them in her ear, placing soft kisses on the edge of her ear in spots without words.
The kisses, massaging and hot water were definitely starting to help with the soreness she'd been experiencing. There was also something very soothing about listening to him quietly sing to her as well. As the song ended, she was hoping he'd set it on repeat so he'd keep going and not stop. He hadn't though and the next song started to play. It took her a moment to recognize the song because it was only guitar chords at the start. As the lyrics started, Logan went back to whispering them softly in her ear. It wasn't until the 4th line that she realized what song it was. She took a quick gasp of air. It's just a song Veronica… just a song. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, listening to his soothing voice continue to sing along with the lyrics. He shifted his arms from massaging her, to wrap around her waist and tenderly squeezed her against his chest again. He continued to sing the song by Train as he held on to her. She moved her arms so she could interlock her fingers with his.
Forever can never be long enough for me
To feel like I've had long enough with you
Forget the world now, we won't let them see
But there's one thing left to do
Now that the weight has lifted
Love has surely shifted my way
Marry me… Today and every day
Marry me… If I ever get the nerve to say "Hello" in this cafe
Say you will…
Together can never be close enough for me
To feel like I am close enough to you
You wear white and I'll wear out the words "I love you"
And you're beautiful
Now that the wait is over
And love has finally shown her my way
Marry me… Today and every day
Marry me… If I ever get the nerve to say "Hello" in this cafe
Say you will…
Promise me…You'll always be
Happy by my side …I promise to
Sing to you... When all the music dies
Before he could continue with the next part of the song, she turned and pressed her lips to his, kissing him deeply. She could hear the lyrics continue on, as they continued to kiss. When she finally pulled away she stared intensely at him, trying to gauge what he was really feeling.
"Did that one count?" she finally said, knowing that if it did, he'd know what she was talking about and if it didn't, then she wouldn't have to feel too awkward about it and could probably just play it off as nothing.
He reached up and caressed her cheek, brushing some damp strands out of her face. He looked back with just as much emotion as she knew was on her face and nodded. He took a deep breath, and then kissed her gently again. "But you don't have to answer," he said softly as their lips parted and he rested his forehead against hers.
"Yes," she said with a tender smile.
"Yes?" he asked back in total disbelief. "Are we talking about the same thing?"
"I love you so much Logan. And I know today was an extremely emotional day for both of us, but that doesn't change how I feel about you and today… when the nurse called you my husband, I know I teased you about it, but it just felt right Logan."
He leaned in and kissed her deeply, but then pulled away with a worried look on his face.
"What's wrong?" she asked as she ran her fingers gingerly along his cheek.
"I didn't… I didn't plan this… or expect you to say yes yet… I don't… I don't have a ring," he replied with a distressed expression on his face.
She bit on her lip and tried to give him a compassionate look and not laugh. "Why don't you ask again then, when you're ready. I'm not going anywhere, and I promise my answer will be the same."
"Oh no…." he quickly replied and shook his head. "This 'yes' counts, ring or no ring."
She laughed and nodded. "Fine…" Before she could say anymore he pressed his mouth to hers and kissed her passionately again.
He finally pulled away and looked at her with a totally amazed expression. "I love you too… with all my heart… it will always be you Veronica... always."